An official report on how police and prosecutors handle rape cases today revealed "shocking" statistics about the huge number which falter without a conviction.

An official report on how police and prosecutors handle rape cases today revealed "shocking" statistics about the huge number which falter without a conviction.

A report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) shows just 7.25pc of cases reported to police end up with an offender being sentenced.

The study recommended introducing specialist lawyers to oversee rape cases in a bid to increase the number of successful prosecutions. Of the 1,741 cases analysed by inspectors just 28pc saw attackers being charged or cautioned.

A snapshot sample of 230 cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service found just 42pc went to court and seven out of 10 offenders who pleaded not guilty were acquitted.

The report highlighted a catalogue of serious failings in the way victims are treated at every step of the criminal justice system after studying cases in 10 police force areas including Northumbria.

"It's not perfect at any stage of the process. It all needs tightening up and sharpening," said Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, David Blakey.

"But there is not a need for a major cultural shift in the same way there was in the late 1970s."

The number of successful prosecutions for rape has fallen from one in three cases in 1977 to one in 13 in 1999.

Nearly 8,600 rapes were reported by male and female victims last year but the Rape Crisis Federation estimates that only 12pc of the 50,000 women who came to them for help in 1998 contacted police.

Inspectors made 21 main recommendations in the 110-page report, which is the first to look at how rape allegations are dealt with from one end of the criminal justice system to the other.

They said one major way forward would be for all allegations of rape to be reviewed by prosecutors who have "received specialist training in the handling of sexual offences".

And before a CPS lawyer decides to either drop a case, reduce the charge or advise police to take no action they should consult with another specialist prosecutor for a second opinion, they added.

HMCPSI Chief Inspector Stephen Wooler said: "Taken collectively, these recommendations have the potential to make the proportion of successful outcomes significantly higher."

Increasing people's confidence in the system would be the "biggest single factor" in ensuring more cases come to court, said Mr Wooler.

There were variable training standards for police officers dealing with rape offences and among police doctors who carry out medical examinations, it added.

Inspectors said they were "disappointed" that 26pc of police crime reports failed to record basic information such as the victim's date of birth or whether there was any relationship between the victim and their attacker.